Chynchilla takes on the mantle

Has lightning struck twice for Donny and Maureen Smith?

Fresh off retiring their star mare Uptown Beachgirl back in December, another classy mare has entered Donny and Maureen Smith’s Knight Street stables at Redcliffe.

Just like Uptown Beachgirl, the latest acquisition is also raced by identical connections with the Forbes (NSW) crew of Jason Gaffney along with Mark, Greg and Bailey Hartwig.

It seems four-year-old mare Chynchilla has quickly taken over the mantle from Uptown Beachgirl and looks destined for bigger and better things ahead.

While the genie wasn’t completely out of the bottle when it came to Uptown Beachgirl, the big mare was cut down before reaching her prime and ultimately retired, connections are hoping for better success with Chynchilla.

And so far, so good.

In just five local starts, Chynchilla was beaten soundly first-up at Albion Park on July 19 when a fading ninth behind Bettor Romance in 1:52.4 before bouncing with vengeance.

Since that first-up defeat, Chynchilla has gone on a tear winning seven of her next eight starts, twice at her home track of Redcliffe before returning to Albion Park for five thumping 1660m victories.

“They’re two completely different types of mares. Uptown Beachgirl was a big ball of muscle with an unbelievable cruising speed whereas Chynchilla is more finely tuned and press button, her turn of foot is blistering,” Smith explained.

That said, all seven victories have been awesome and the mare has recorded supersonic times amongst those.

At Redcliffe on July 26, Chynchilla defeated five times Group 1-winner Jewel Melody in a time of 1:53.7 before going even faster the following week in a time of 1:53.3 while winning by a widening margin.

Returning to Albion Park on August 10 and starting in a Mares Qualifying Pace, Chynchilla destroyed her rivals by a big margin in a time of 1:51.0. Only Amore Vita has paced faster for a mare at Albion Park (1:50.5).

Interestingly, Uptown Beachgirl also recorded a winning time of 1:51.0 at Albion Park, so both mares sit equal second as the fastest at the famed Breakfast Creek oval.

A fortnight later, Chynchilla returned to Albion Park to contest the Mares Open Pace and duly delivered another sparkling performance with an all-the-way victory in 1:52.7 with Shane Graham deputising for regular reinsman Nathan Dawson, who was on parental leave.

Since then, Chynchilla has finished second behind Wasa Heat Seek in late August, before rebounding with three straight wins across September and October.

“I remember the day well when the truck arrived to pick-up Jordy (Uptown Beachgirl) before walking back into the stable thinking there’s not much left here as far as quality goes. Then, a few months later, in walks Chilli (Chynchilla) so it’s amazing how things can turn around,” Smith said.

“Her blood took a while to get sorted, so that probably explains the first-up defeat, I’ve been happy with her all the way through so that blip really shocked us all that night.

“She’s loving life here in Queensland. It was a mild winter this year and she’s adapted really well to her routine and surroundings. Overall, she’s fairly basic with everything including her feed, shoeing and work.

“And she’s much easier to deal with compared to Jordy, much more relaxed and looser. However, Chilli arrived far better credentialed compared to Jordy, she contested some really good races in Victoria but kept running into the Emma Stewart team.”

Purchased at the 2020 NZB All Age Standardbred Sale by one-time Knight Street horseman but now Victorian based Shane Sanderson for the modest amount of $3700.

Chynchilla is by Sunshine Beach from Gotta Go Jet Away, a daughter of former star filly Elect To Live (19 wins from 35 starts, $577,000).

The sale, staged during the peak of Covid-19 pandemic, was an online sale with 138 lots catalogued.

The average price from the sale was $7553 while median price was $4550.

In total, Sanderson secured eight lots from the sale with a view of breaking-in and selling once they were up and going.

The best performers of his crop include Chynchilla and Ourmatemenko while Our Indifference (two wins from eight starts, 1:54.6) is a promising type now in the care of Gemma Hewitt after being purchased by Mick Boots.

Another three (Turbo Flo, Kingsburys Charge and Outback Sunshine) have been lightly raced to date while the other pair (Karioitahi and unnamed Rock N Roll Heaven filly) never raced.

Sanderson started Chynchilla five times for four minor placings before selling the filly to Mark and Lisa Pitt for $10,000.

Under the care of the Pitts, Chynchilla raced 21 times for four wins (Maryborough, Wagga and twice at Bendigo) while qualifying for races like the Victoria Oaks, Vicbred Super Series Final and Breeders Crown although unplaced.

Those respective features were won by Sweet Bella, Sahara Breeze and Major Delight.

Also, Chynchilla was the runner-up behind Louie Lou I in the $25,000 George Croxford Tribute at Cobram as a three-year-old.

Purchased online by her current ownership group, Chynchilla has continued to improve with time and maturity.

“I don’t know how they keep finding these horses but it’s working. They have regular clients they deal with while they’re always scanning the internet,” Smith said.

“I’m just happy to be playing a small role for these guys, they’re great owners and I’m lucky to be involved with them.”

By way of comparison, Chynchilla has a record of 11 victories and 13 minor placings from 35 starts to date with earnings over $125,000, while Uptown Beachgirl won 13 races with 13 minor placings from 46 starts and earnings over $176,000.

Hoofnote: Ourmatemenko has 11 wins and seven minor placings from 30 starts to date while his earnings sit at over $81,000.